Charismatic leader says spiritual gifts must lead to service, not status

Fr. Bartolome Pastor, the national spiritual director of CHARIS Philippines, said that spiritual gifts must be used for humble service rather than seeking personal recognition. Speaking on Oct. 21 at the conclusion of a three-day National Spiritual Direction Conference in Liloan, Cebu, Pastor noted that receiving charisms does not automatically make a person holy.

Pastor explained that the Holy Spirit grants these gifts to help people serve others and advance the mission of the Church. He urged Catholics to put their gifts into action rather than remaining passive, stating that those anointed by the Holy Spirit have a responsibility to serve the faithful and the wider Church.

The priest also called on parishes, Christian communities, and Basic Ecclesial Communities to prioritize discipleship formation. He said these groups should prepare the faithful to take active roles in evangelization so that every community becomes a disciple-making community. Pastor added that a more charismatic Church can better fulfill its role as a channel of God's saving love in the world.